STAFF REPORT IBD: In a bid to stabilize the healthy termination rate and minimize the possibility of grey traffic, the Long Distance International Operators (LDIOs) have implemented the International Clearing House (ICH) framework.
This framework will ensure high revenues for the LDIOs as well as valuable foreign exchange for the national economy and is expected to generate more than $1 billion per annum worth of valuable foreign exchange, said an official of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to this scribe.
He said that the PTA mandates all LDIOs duly licensed to terminate international incoming telephone calls in Pakistan to form ICH exchange.
The termination charge for international traffic in most countries is determined by the national regulatory authority. In Pakistan it is the responsibility of PTA to review and determine the telecom tariffs including the termination rates for international incoming traffic to the country.
It is relevant to mention here that the termination rates of the foreign operators in Middle East and Europe (for mobile termination) are in the range of 10-15 US cents that is still higher than 8.8 US cents.
The official said that stabilization of PTA determined termination rates for international incoming traffic to the country will ensure the legitimate inflow of foreign exchange to the country.